In response to a complaint filed in Circuit Court in Jacksonville, JinkoSolar (U.S.) Industries Inc. says it paid its contractor for work performed at its solar panel manufacturing facility in West Jacksonville.
JinkoSolar says that if there’s a payment dispute, it’s between the contractor, MGI Construction USA Inc. and Jax Refrigeration, the plaintiff in the lawsuit.
Jax Refrigeration says in the complaint there is $564,480.24 unpaid balance for equipment, building materials and work labor performed in late 2018.
Jax Refrigeration’s contract for HVAC equipment was $6.75 million, according to the subcontractor agreement filed with the complaint.
“Jinko hired a construction company, MGI, to perform design and construction services at Jinko’s new state-of-the-art facility. While Jinko has complied with its obligations to MGI, it appears that MGI has not made payments allegedly owed by MGI to its subcontractor, Jax Refrigeration,” JinkoSolar spokesman Jeff Juger said in an email.
“Jinko takes these matters very seriously and is working earnestly with the parties to encourage an amicable resolution,” He said.
Jax Refrigeration Inc. filed the complaint Sept. 20 against JinkoSolar and Richardson Logistics Assets LLC, owner of the factory building at 4660 POW-MIA Parkway.
According to court documents, Jax Refrigeration on Sept. 10 recorded a claim of lien against the defendants for the balance due and seeks to foreclose on the lien.
JinkoSolar agreed to open the $50 million plant and employ 100 people with the support of city and state incentives. The jobs, which will pay an average annual wage of $45,562, must be created by Dec. 31.
The company leases 285,652 square feet in the 407,435-square-foot building at 4660 POW-MIA Memorial Parkway.
City Council adopted a resolution in March 2018 to approve the incentives. Financial support comprises city tax incentives of $3.4 million, including a $3.2 million Recapture Enhanced Value grant to be paid over 10 years and a $200,000 Qualified Target Industry tax refund for JinkoSolar to be repaid over five years.
The state will pay the remaining $800,000 of the total $1 million QTI refund.
Jax Refrigeration is represented by M. Scott Thomas of the Burr & Forman law firm in Jacksonville. The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Katie Dearing.